I have said more than I intended; but dare say, your Lordship had nearly the same thoughts--with the addition of the feelings of a dutiful Son, for the loss of a most excellent Father.
It is, however, now--as your Lordship is the Father of your Family--incumbent upon you to take particular care of your own health. Nay, you are, by the voice of the nation, its first prop and support.
Keep up your spirits; and, that you may long enjoy your well-earned honours, is the sincere wish of your Lordship's affectionate friend, and attached humble servant,
Will you have the goodness to forward the inclosed to Mr. Brand, and to present my letter to Lady Hamilton?
Every lover of his country will rejoice in our great and almost unexampled success, to the honour of my Lord Hood, and to the shame of those who opposed his endeavours to serve his country.
General Stewart, I am happy to say, is just arrived.
We shall now join, heart and hand, against Calvi. When conquered, I shall hope to pay my respects to your Excellency at Naples; which will give real pleasure to your very faithful, and obliged,
Mr. Wyndham having communicated to Mr. Udney the conversation of the French minister with the Tuscans, I cannot, being intrusted by the Admiral with the command of the small squadron in the Gulph of Genoa, but think it right for me to beg that your Excellency will apply for such vessels of war belonging to his Sicilian Majesty, as may be judged proper to cruize in the Gulph of Genoa, and particularly off the point of the Gulph of Especia. Xebecs, corvettes, and frigates, are the fittest to cruize; and the first have the great advantage of rowing, as well as sailing, I am told, very fast.
General [Acton] knows, full as well as myself, the vessels proper to prevent the disembarkation of troops on this coast; therefore, I shall not particularly point them out.
Last campaign, the word _flotilla_ was misunderstood. I can only say, that all vessels which can sail and row must be useful; and, for small craft, Port Especia is a secure harbour.
Whatever is to be done, should be done speedily; for, by Mr. Wyndham's account, we have no time to lose.
If we have the proper vessels, I am confident, the French will not be able to bring their ten thousand men by sea; and; should they attempt to pass through the Genoese territories, I hope the Austrians will prevent them: but, however, should all our precautions not be able to prevent the enemy's possessing themselves of Leghorn, yet we are not to despair. Fourteen days from their entry, if the allied powers unite heartily, I am confident, we shall take them all prisoners. I am confident, it can--and, therefore, should such an unlucky event take place, as their possessing themselves of Leghorn, I hope, will--be done. I have sent to the Admiral.